John R. Bell (military officer)

John R. Bell was born around 1785 in the state of New York. He attended West Point Military Academy^[1] from June 15, 1808, to January 3, 1812.^[2] Bell joined to American Army in his youth, place where he stressed, obtaining the commandant and Captain titles. On January 3, 1812, Bell was commissioned a second lieutenant in the light artillery. On August 24, he became a first lieutenant.^[1] Bell fought in the Niagara Frontier in 1812. A year later, he helped capture Fort George on the St. Lawrence River and was promoted to major on July 29, 1813.^[2] He was made a captain in the artillery and colonel inspector general by the end of the War of 1812.^[1] Bell served in Maine and Boston, Massachusetts from 1815 to early 1819, including one year as a superintendent of Recruiting Services.^[2] He returned to West Point on February 8, 1819, when he taught infantry tactics and was a commandant of cadets until March 17, 1820.^[1][2] Bell was described as "a tall, handsome and soldierly-looking man, who was with us for more than a year, and who, without abating the rigor of the discipline, showed how it could be maintained consistently with a proper regard for the feelings of those under him." He was remembered for changing the forms of discipline at the academy.^[2]

Bell wrote to Secretary of War John C. Calhoun about the open position of journalist on Stephen Harriman Long's expedition of 1820. He asked to be relieved of the "dull rounds of garrison duty" for a chance to explore the western frontier.^[4] He joined the expedition that traveled the Platte River to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, then followed the Arkansas and Red Rivers to the Mississippi River. As the journalist, he kept an account of the expedition's activities and he supervised setting up the campsite.^[1] He led the group and set the pace for the desired number of miles that they wanted to travel for the day.^[4] A few times he questioned Long's authority and when the expedition divided into two parties, Bell led one of the groups along the Arkansas River. Three men deserted the group, taking scientific reports and manuscripts. The two parties reunited at Fort Smith on September 9, 1820. His journal has been published with the title The Journal of Captain John R. Bell, Official Journalist for the Stephen H. Long Expedition to the Rocky Mountains.^[1] Bell was supposed to have sent his journal to Secretary Calhoun, but there is no evidence that he did so. The journal was lost for decades and was finally published in 1957.^[5]